Gator receiver Riley Cooper to test the NFL waters

Florida senior receiver Riley Cooper said Monday that despite having signed a professional baseball contract, he plans to try his chances at making an NFL roster.

"I’m going to the NFL combine and the Senior Bowl,'' Cooper said during an interview in New Orleans, where the Gators are preparing for the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl. "Hopefully I’ll go out to the combine and run my 4.3 or 4.4, not that 4.52 they (scouts) are talking about.''

Cooper, of Clearwater, signed a professional contract with the Texas Rangers in August, but the organization allowed him to return to Florida for his senior year.

A 25th round selection in the MLB Draft, Cooper reportedly received a $250,000 signing bonus, paid in full, not spread over multiple years which is common with two-sport athletes.

Cooper is the Gators' second-leading receiver with 44 receptions for 780 yards, and UF coach Urban Meyer has often said he believes Cooper can play in the NFL. Now, he plans to find out if that's true.

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Florida Gators fans, welcome to the Gator Report for all your news about Gators football, basketball and all UF sports. It's written by University of Florida beat writer Antonya English and the staff of the Tampa Bay Times. We invite your comments and participation.